The Path | Spotlight on Lai Arogundade

Leader. Learner. Lifter.

Welcome to The Path, a series dedicated to amplifying the stories of leaders who’ve forged their own way, through discipline, discovery, and sometimes discomfort. In this edition, we spotlight Lai, whose career journey spans industries and experiences, from hospitality to telecoms, pharma to leadership. Through each chapter, Lai has chosen growth, resilience, and authenticity over comfort and in doing so, has become the kind of leader who doesn’t just climb the ladder, but builds new ones for others.

Interview with Lai

What influenced your approach to your career growing up?

Lai:Growing up in an African household, I was brought up to study and work harder than everyone else. Make sure you read books, read more books and read all the books. This along with the strong advice to “remember the child of whom you are” at all times were instilled in me.I could handle the study thing but constantly having to remember to be mindful of how my actions could affect family reputation and heritage? ……the pressure!!

What was your first job, and what did it teach you?

Lai:I started out in Pharma working for a major pharmaceutical company as part of their graduate programme. This role introduced me to the professional working environment but lured me into a false sense of what the future would look like. I enjoyed this time however, I was shielded from the real pressures, decisions and ownership of a real job.

I got my first “real job” in the telecoms sector. I was happy to be there, delighted to be working for a well recognised company. I focused on getting the job done well. I showed up early, stayed late and sought perfection in all I did. I was also quiet, reserved and expected that good work alone would speak for itself, all the time “remembering the child of whom I was”. Spoiler alert: It didn’t!

Very quickly, I realised that the years of reading all the books did not prepare me for dealing with office egos, politics or pressure. I knew the theory, but I had to learn the art of influencing, how to navigate team dynamics and how to advocate for myself.

What did help, surprisingly, was my experience in hospitality as a teenager (I would recommend this to anyone). Working in bars and restaurants as a student had sharpened my instincts for reading people, building rapport and staying calm under pressure – skills you do not learn in a classroom.

I watched more confident and sometimes less competent colleagues move ahead because they understood something I didn’t. Careers are built on performance but also on visibility, relationships and having a plan.This was one of my first big lessons: I was in a job but hadn’t planned for a career. I needed a strategy and I had none.

What surprised you most when stepping into leadership?

Lai:There’s a perception that once you “make it” to management, the hard part is over. But becoming a leader isn’t a promotion—it’s a transformation.

Suddenly, it wasn’t about my own output. It was about vision, clarity, and creating a space for others to succeed. Technical skills only took me so far—what mattered was emotional intelligence, empathy, and knowing when to speak… and when to truly hear.

How do you stay grounded when challenges mount?

Lai:I revisit my “why” often. Leadership without purpose is exhausting. When pressure builds—expected or not—it’s that anchor that keeps you centered. You’re reminded of what truly matters and who you’re trying to become.

And I stay flexible. My leadership style adapts to changing business needs and team dynamics. My constant question is: Am I being useful to my team?

What advice would you offer to someone stepping into leadership or early in their career?

Lai:

Be clear on who is in your support circle

Take time to complete a stakeholder audit. Identify who is guiding you (a mentor); who is challenging and developing you (a coach or career coach); who is talking about you positively when you are not in the room (a sponsor); who is your confidant (supporter/ego booster). You will need all four as each person will play a different role.

Invest in Yourself

Career growth is more than promotions, it is about personal development, continuous learning and upskilling in new and future relevant trends for long term success.

Understand Your Why

Leadership without purpose is exhausting. It is important to understand what matters to you and revisit that “why” often. It becomes your anchor when expected or unplanned pressure mounts and helps you refocus on key objectives and priorities.

Be Authentic and Consistent in Your Actions

As a Black professional, there is the subconscious pressure to fit in sometimes driven by imposter syndrome. I have found that authenticity builds trust and builds credibility. Do not shy away from letting your values be visible and letting your leadership reflect who you really are.

Be Patient with the Journey

It is sometimes easy to feel like you are falling behind especially when social media and LinkedIn makes it look like everyone else is winning. Careers are marathons, not sprints. Take your time and don’t compare your journey to someone else’s highlight reel.

What would you say to your younger self?

Lai:Trust yourself more. Speak up sooner. You belong in every room you walk into.Perfection does not exist so stop striving for this.Work smarter, not harder.Be bold and intentional about what you want from people around you.It is okay to ask for help (I am still working on this for myself).We often chase titles but forget leadership isn’t just about climbing up that ladder, it is about lifting others.